Method to delay locking of server files on edit

Abstract

A server is implemented with a modified file open action, which, when a user performs the modified open, initially opens a file without locking the file. When a user indicates (either explicitly or implicitly) that the user is attempting to or intending to open the file, the file can then be locked for editing. In this way, the default action when a user requests a file is to open the file without denying other users access to the file. Then, when the user indicates that editing should occur, the lock for the file is obtained.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 receiving by a server, a request to open a file on the server, the file simultaneously accessed with default read-only permissions by a plurality of computers that comprises a first computer, wherein the server allows granting of editing privileges to the plurality of computers and the file is retained with the default read-only permissions for a pre-specified period of time; 
 receiving, from the first computer, an indication of an intent to edit the file without making a local copy in the first computer, the indication of the intent to edit the file occurring after opening the file to the plurality of computers with default read-only permissions; 
 responsive to receiving the indication of the intent to edit the file after the pre-specified period of time, changing the default read-only permissions of the file for the first computer to read/write permissions; and 
 responsive to receiving the indication of the intent to edit the file, locking the file, such that a computer other than the first computer is not granted read/write permissions on the file. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing the file to be opened by an application on the first computer, the application being associated with the file. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the application is at least one of a word processing application or a spreadsheet application. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the application is an audio player application. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing options to resolve conflicts based on the indication of the intent to edit the file. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the application is a web browsing application. 
     
     
       7. A method comprising:
 sending, to a server, a first request to open a file on the server, the file simultaneously accessed with default read-only permissions by a plurality of computers that comprises a first computer, wherein the server allows granting of editing privileges to the plurality of computers and the file is retained with the default read-only permissions for a pre-specified period of time; 
 receiving, from the server, data associated with the file; 
 sending, to the server, an indication of an intent to edit the file without making a local copy in the first computer, the indication of the intent to edit the file occurring after opening the file to the plurality of computers with default read-only permissions; 
 responsive to sending the indication of the intent to edit the file after the pre-specified period of time, receiving an indication that the default read-only permission of the file for the first computer is changed to read/write permissions; and 
 responsive to sending the indication of the intent to edit the file, receiving an indication of a lock on the file such that a computer other than the first computer is not granted read/write permissions on the file. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the file is opened with a spreadsheet application. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the file is opened with an audio player application. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the file is opened by a web browsing application. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 providing options to resolve conflicts based on the indication of the intent to edit the file. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the file is opened with a word processing application. 
     
     
       13. A server comprising:
 a processor; and 
 a memory communicatively coupled with the processor, the memory having stored thereon executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising:
 receiving a request to open a file on the server, the file simultaneously accessed with default read-only permissions by a plurality of computers that comprises a first computer, wherein the server allows granting of editing privileges to the plurality of computers and the file is retained with the default read-only permissions for a pre-specified period of time; 
 providing, to the first computer, data associated with the file for the file to be viewed with an application associated with the first computer; 
 receiving an indication of an intent to edit the file without making a local copy in the first computer, the indication of the intent to edit the file occurring after opening the file to the plurality of computers with default read-only permissions; 
 responsive to sending the indication of the intent to edit the file after the pre-specified period of time, changing the default read-only permissions of the file for the first computer to read/write permissions; and 
 responsive to sending the indication of the intent to edit the file, locking the file, such that a computer other than the first computer is not granted read/write permissions on the file. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The server of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 providing options to resolve conflicts based on the indication of the intent to edit the file. 
 
     
     
       15. The server of  claim 13 , wherein the request to open the file is based on selecting a hyperlink. 
     
     
       16. The server of  claim 13 , wherein the file is viewed via a web browsing application. 
     
     
       17. The server of  claim 13 , wherein the file is opened with a spreadsheet application. 
     
     
       18. The server of  claim 13 , wherein the file is opened with an audio player application. 
     
     
       19. The server of  claim 13 , wherein the file is opened by a word processing application. 
     
     
       20. The server of  claim 13 , wherein the request to open the file comprises a permission to open the file.